Obituaries

Donald Maurice, 85, of Genoa, NE, died Monday, October 3, 2022 at Genoa Community Hospital Long Term Care. The funeral service was held on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the Genoa United Methodist Church with Pastor Connie Kramer officiating.

Ruth Christine (Norlin) Goodrich was the only living daughter of Carl Curtis and Francis (Carlson) Norlin. She was born on July 28, 1944, in Chadron, NE and passed away on September 16, 2022, at the Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth, NE. Ruth was the daughter of a Methodist minister and was baptized at the Chadron Methodist Church on October 22, 1944, by her grandfather, Charles Norlin, also a Methodist minister. Dorothy Norlin, a cousin, joined the family in the fall of 1945, until they moved to Springview, NE. During this time, they lived in Hemingford, NE from June of 1947, to Mullen, NE in June of 1949, where Ruth started school at the Mullen Elementary School. In June 1953, the family moved to Springview where they remained until Ruth graduated from the Keya Paha County High School in May 1962. After graduation Ruth attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she majored in math and was a member of the Nebraska Wesleyan Choir. After completing one year of college, Ruth returned to Springview to marry her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Mick Goodrich, on December 14, 1963. Mick and Ruth became owners of a ranch located south of Springview near the Niobrara River, where they worked together taking care of cattle and raising a family until 1982. They then moved their family to Ainsworth. Ruth dedicated much of her professional life to Ainsworth’s ASCS/FSA Office, where she helped farmers and ranchers traverse government programs and was the loan officer. During her time in her career, she made many lifetime friends and relationships with clients and co-workers. After retiring from the FSA Ruth decided to use her love and talent for crafts and sewing, with the help of some very special friends, she opened Quilts & Crafts located in Long Pine, NE. Ruth was an active member of the community as a 4-H leader for the Busy Bees 4-H Club in Keya Paha County. She was also involved in Extension Club and Extension 4-H Board in Keya Paha County and enjoyed being part of the High School Alumni Association. Ruth was a very active member of the United Methodist Church, where she helped with Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and her favorite, a member of the Choir. Ruth was very involved with Eastern Star and was initiated on April 5, 1988. She held many offices, which included: Associate Conductress 1989, Conductress 1990, Associate Matron 1991, Worthy Matron 1992, Treasurer 1993-2006, Associate Conductress 2007-2009, Conductress 2010-2011, Chaplain 2012-2014, Marshal 2015-2019 and Warder 2020-2021. In 1995, Ruth and her husband moved to a property outside of Long Pine, where she became an active member of the Long Pine community. She was a member of Lamplighters, Long Pine Chamber of Commerce, Long Pine Heritage Society, and spent several years as the Long Pine Cemetery Sexton.

Joyce M. Pittack, a fifty-five-year resident of Grays Barbor, died on Monday, September 12, 2022. She was born in Naches, WA. Her folks moved back to Nebraska where she attended school in Long Pine and graduated from high school in Bassettt, NE. Joyce attended Norfolk Junior College and received an AA degree in teaching.

Larry L Hespe was born December 11, 1945, to Gus and Mabel (McIntosh) Hespe; their world was never the same. Larry lived life well and to the fullest. He met his first wife, Margaret Hambek, in 1965, and to that marriage, four boys were born, Lance, Luke, Morgan and Marshall. A busy family he did have, it kept him busy working at Champlin Service Station in Gregory, SD, and trucking for various businesses.

Susan D. Hulshizer, age 65, of Kearney, NE, passed away Monday, September 26, 2022 at her home.

Navonne “Vonnie” Unell Selma Knapp was born on March 11, 1937 in Royal, NE to Harry and Mildred (Erickson) Knapp. She was the oldest child of four, having two sisters, Carol and Gaylene, and one brother, Kirk. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 20, 2022 at Rock County Hospital Long Term Care in Bassett, NE at the age of 85 years.

On Saturday, September 17, 2022, John F. (Jack) Callaway, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 79, at Brown County Hospital.

A memorial services for Ruth C. Goodrich, age 78 of Long Pine, NE, will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ainsworth United Methodist Church. A Private Family Inurnment will follow in the afternoon in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview, NE. Ruth Goodrich died September 16, 2022 at the Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth.

Memorial services will be held at a later date for Ruth C. Goodrich, age 78, of Long Pine, NE.

Josephine Ella Sorenson, 85, of Big River, CA was born on March 1, 1937, in Ainsworth, NE to Floyd M Keller and Ella C. Nielsen-Keller.